Page 7 of All in December
I need to pull it together. It’s just one night. Given that it’s with a very kind, very charming man who somehow makes me feel more seen than I have in years is irrelevant.
Damn it, I’m doomed.
When we pull into the snow-covered parking lot, I text Nash that we’re here and grab the bag I always pack which, luckily, has a change of clothes. It’s not like we ever actually change after skiing, but I always throw it in the car just in case. Today that “just in case” mentality really paid off, otherwise we’d be stuck in the same sweaty clothes all night.
“Come on, Dad!” Sam yells impatiently as I finish up at the car.
“Alright, I’m ready,” I say, hitting the lock button before putting my hand back in my coat. It’s absolutely freezing out here, and despite how nervous I am about sharing the hotel room, I really am relieved we don’t need to drive home in this weather.
Nash texted me the room number before we left the mountain parking lot, but when we walk inside the lobby, he’s there waiting for us with a big smile on his face.
“Hey! Glad you agreed to stay, the roads are already crazy,” he greets, and I’m even happier to be here now that he seems genuinely excited to see us… and somehow slightly more nervous.
The hotel’s nice, in that slightly outdated, rustic kind of way. It was probably the pinnacle of mountain luxury when the resort first opened, and it hasn’t changed much since then. Wood beams stretch across the ceiling, and a big stone fireplace crackles in the center of the room, surrounded by worn brown leather chairs. There’s a lobby bar tucked into the corner that looks busy, likely with people taking advantage of being snowed in.
“Happy we’re staying, thanks again. Lead the way.” I gesture to Nash.
He walks toward the elevator, and I can’t help but notice how his hair is still a bit damp from his helmet sweat, curlinga little at the ends in a way that makes me want to run my fingers through it.
Get it together, Caleb. You’ve known this man for less than a day.
For someone who's never been with a man, my imagination is having no trouble picturing all the things I’d like to do with him. I keep cycling between feeling intrigued and flustered, and I have no idea if he’s feeling anything at all. He could just be a nice person who’s offering a helping hand.
That’s probably all it is.
Once the elevator dings and opens on the floor we’re staying on, Sam and I follow Nash down the long hallway to the room we’re sharing. Nash opens the door, and the room is rustic with a mountain-themed feel, but what my eyes get stuck on is the two beds in the room. They’re so close together with only an end table to separate them, and I gulp at how close Nash and I will be sleeping. I don’t know why I didn’t think about this earlier when he invited us. Of course they have a standard hotel room with two beds.I’m pretty sure he told me that but I was too overwhelmed to process it.
“This is awesome.” Sam grins as soon as we’re in the room.
“Can we share a bed?” Benji asks Nash before I even put my bag down, and I freeze.
My brain short-circuits because kids are so damn direct, and I have no idea what to do right now.
Does Nash want to share a bed with me? Is that something he’s even considered? Is it going to be weird? It’s going to be weird. We just met. My face is burning hot, and my palms are sweaty. I’ve never felt this flustered in my life.
Oh god, why did I sign us up to share a room with them?
It’s been all of sixty seconds and he’s already going to regret this invitation.
“Yeah! Can we, Dad? Please?” Sam shouts with bubbling excitement because, of course, he needs to pile on the pressure, even if it’s completely unintentional.
I glance at Nash, eyebrows raised, hoping he’ll take the lead here, because honestly, I have no idea what the right move is. I hate being the one to make decisions that involve someone else’s comfort, especially when that someone isn’t Sam. This whole situation is already pushing the boundaries of what I know how to navigate, and that’s the most challenging part of being a single parent—always single-handedly having to be the one to make every decision. There are so many moments I wish I could just give up control and have someone tell me what to do instead of constantly second-guessing myself.
“Well…” I start, still unsure how to answer. That is, until I look over at Nash, who is smiling at me.
“Do you care?” he checks.
“No. Not at all,” I say far too fast. “It’s totally fine.” I lie because nothing about this is fine. How are we going to sleep in the same bed together? What if we touch each other, or I roll into him and try to cuddle him? It’s been a long time since I’ve shared a bed with anyone. Oh god, what if I get a boner? What if I wake up and my hard dick is pressed into his ass? Why did we agree to this? This was the most foolish plan I’ve ever had.
“Alright, great,” Nash says, nodding toward the boys who are already debating who gets what side. “And this way we don’t have to deal with them yelling across the room to each other.”
“True,” I huff before I swallow down all my nerves. Notonly am I sharing a hotel room with the most attractive man I’ve ever laid eyes on, but now, due to our children, I’m sharing a bed with him. A bed!
“Exactly, works better for all of us.” Nash smiles easily, probably completely fine with this.
“Yep, cool,” I nervously agree.
“Cool,” he echoes.
